Federal Court Dismisses Slip and Fall Suit against Casino for Failure to Exhaust Tribal Remedies

Here are the materials in Sullivan v. Harrah’s Operating Company (D.S.C.):

28-1-motion-to-dismiss

34-dct-order

Federal Court Denies Rule 11 Sanctions Motion against Counsel for United Indian Health Services

Here are the materials in United Indian Health Services v. Su (E.D. Cal.):

29-dct-order-dismissing-suit

31-1-motion-for-sanctions

32-opposition

33-reply

35-dct-order-denying-sanctions

SCOTUS to Hear Lewis v. Clarke on January 9, 2017

Here is the Court’s January calendar.

Background materials on the case here.

US Seeks Reversal in Lewis v. Clarke (Different Theory than Petitioners)

Here is that brief:

SG Brief

Here is another amicus brief supporting petitioner:

Conn. Trial Lawyers Assn. Amicus Brief

The background materials are here.

Montana SCT Affirms Immunity for Tribal Police Officer and CSKT

Here are the materials in Crawford v. Couture:

Montana SCT Opinion

Appellant Brief

Appellee Brief

Reply Brief

Petitioner’s Brief in Lewis v. Clarke

Here:

Brief for Petitioner

Other background materials here.

Fletcher Preview of Lewis v. Clarke

Here is “Supreme Court case could expose Indian tribes to new legal risks” at The Conversation.

Excerpt:

One would be tempted to think this is a case about fairness, about guaranteeing a forum for non-Indians to sue tribal employees who might be cloaked in a tribe’s immunity from the suit. In my opinion, fairness to the Lewis couple, however, comes at the expense of fairness to the tribe.

Recall that the tribe does provide a forum to resolve personal injury claims against it in tribal court, but with a one year limitations period. Under that law, the Mohegan tribal court has confirmed awards against tribal police officers; indeed, the tribe likely has settled thousands of claims over the years.

I have long argued that Indian tribes should provide an adequate forum to address the negligent actions of their employees. The Mohegan tribe has done so here by establishing a tribal court and a legal process for resolving personal injury claims. In fact, Mohegan was one of the earliest tribes to start doing so, way back in the 1990s. But personal injury lawyers have complained about Mohegan law because it bars punitive damages and other doctrines that can balloon judgment awards.

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Background materials on the case are here.

Seminole Tribe Prevails in Dispute with Florida over Banked Games

Here are the materials in Seminole Tribe of Florida v. State of Florida (N.D. Fla.):

37-seminole-msj

38-florida-msj

44-seminole-response-to-38

53-florida-response-to-37

86-seminole-immunity-brief

87-florida-immunity-brief

103-dct-order

Tribal Lender Immune from Telephone Consumer Protection Act Suit

Here are the materials in Finn v. Great Plains Lending LLC (W.D. Okla.):

15 Motion to Dismiss

16 Response

18 Reply

DCT Order

NJ Lenni-Lenape Tribe’s Claims against State Proceed

Here are the materials in Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation v. Lougy (D. N.J.):

39-1 Motion to Dismiss

40 Opposition

41 Reply

50 DCT Order